大象传媒

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This summer I鈥檒l be taking our daughters on a trip with me to France where we鈥檒l be camping with a group from the school where I鈥檓 a chaplain. The girls are excited about going overseas and staying in a tent, but a little uncertain about how it will be having their mother in the role of a teacher. I suppose I鈥檓 also a bit nervous about how it鈥檒l work: I know I鈥檒l need to take care not to be stricter or more relaxed with my own children than with the others.

It鈥檚 never easy working out how to deal with the different roles we have, at work, in friendships and with our families; and it can be especially difficult when we鈥檙e in situations that blur some of the boundaries.

听

I believe one thing that can help with this is the curious and beautiful way in which God鈥檚 identity is revealed in the Bible. There are a great range of names given for God, who always refuses to be completely described. This hints at the fact that there is always more to know about who God is. One of the oldest names given for God is four Hebrew letters - sometimes pronounced as Yahweh or Jehovah 鈥� and often translated, as 鈥淚 am who I am鈥�. This speaks to me of a spirit of acceptance that鈥檚 at the heart of God, and it communicates a hopeful message about never having to pretend to be something that we鈥檙e not, because we are loved simply for being ourselves.

听

Christians believe that all humans are made in God鈥檚 image, so everyone is multi-layered and worth knowing. We grow in confidence as individuals when other people trust and accept us just as we are, and we help others flourish when we show similar grace and encouragement towards them.

听

Spirit of integrity, be with me in all I say and do today. Help me to be forgiving of myself and of others, so I can help to demonstrate your generous welcome. Amen.